"22 Days in June, and Feeling Goopy". This is not a song title. It is Hayden's life last month. Out of 30 days, she spent 22 of them in the hospital dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. 3 of those days were "scheduled" hospital stays, the rest were just bonuses in her already, exciting life. To combat nerves and nausea (also not a song title) Ativan is the drug of choice. In her words, it makes her "feel goopy". For those of you who need help with this word, translated, it means GOOFY.
Today is the 4th of July. It was a tough day. In years past, decorating and riding in a truck for the 4th of July Parade, wearing matching 4th of July t-shirts with her girlfriends, and a block party were some of Hayden's favorite activities. This year, laying in bed with a cold rag on her head, a feeding tube in her nose, and feeling "goopy" while watching I CARLY was her reality. Throughout the day, her favorite people wandered in and out, sat on her bed for awhile, and visited, and some even watched full episodes of I Carly with her. Outside, the neighborhood kids ran around having water fights, lighting fireworks, and eating cupcakes. Next year, one of those kids WILL BE Hayden! We are counting on it. Independence Day, indeed!
